Episode
I Was Kidnapped by the Taliban: Safi Rauf on Rescuing Afghan Allies
1:00:35
Published: Fri Nov 11 2022
Description
This week’s guest is Safi Rauf, an Afghan refugee who came to the U.S. as a teen and is now the president and founder of Human First Coalition. Also a veteran, he tells us about his work in Afghanistan helping to evacuate local interpreters who worked with American troops. He shares the astonishing story of how he was taken hostage—and eventually released—by the Taliban while working there. He also talks about the Afghan Adjustment Act and the obstacles he’s run into while advocating for it. Plus, writers Rob Christensen and Tocarra Mallard stop by for a little schadenfreude about Trump’s very bad midterms week.Update: Since the recording of this podcast, allegations of fraud and mistreatment have surfaced against Safi Rauf and his organization Human First Coalition. We are watching closely and will keep our audience posted on any developments related to these claims.Stream our newest episode, “Election Wrap-Up Special,” now on Apple TV+.Credits:Hosted by: Jon StewartFeaturing, in order of appearance: Tocarra Mallard, Rob Christensen, Safi RaufExecutive Produced by Jon Stewart, Brinda Adhikari, James Dixon, Chris McShane, and Richard Plepler.Lead Producer: Sophie EricksonProducers: Zach Goldbaum, Caity GrayAssoc. Producer: Andrea BetanzosSound Engineer & Editor: Miguel Carrascal Senior Digital Producer: Freddie Morgan Digital Coordinator: Norma Hernandez Supervising Producer: Lorrie Baranek Head Writer: Kris AcimovicElements: Kenneth Hull, Daniella PhilipsonTalent: Brittany Mehmedovic, Margorie McCurry, Lukas ThimmResearch: Susan Helvenston, Andy Crystal, Cassie Murdoch, Farah Otero-Amad, Irene PlagianosTheme Music by: Gary Clark Jr.The Problem with Jon Stewart podcast is an Apple TV+ podcast, produced by Busboy Productions.https://apple.co/-JonStewart
Chapters
Comedians talk about the different traditions and ways veterans and their families celebrate Veterans Day such as checking in with their platoon and making a list of veterans they've met through the years.
00:00 - 02:38 (02:38)
Summary
Comedians talk about the different traditions and ways veterans and their families celebrate Veterans Day such as checking in with their platoon and making a list of veterans they've met through the years.
EpisodeI Was Kidnapped by the Taliban: Safi Rauf on Rescuing Afghan Allies
PodcastThe Problem With Jon Stewart
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02:38 - 05:42 (03:04)
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EpisodeI Was Kidnapped by the Taliban: Safi Rauf on Rescuing Afghan Allies
PodcastThe Problem With Jon Stewart
A discussion about how politicians often ignore the concerns of women who aren't married, as well as young people who may have concerns about the future monetarily and environmentally.
05:42 - 08:44 (03:01)
Summary
A discussion about how politicians often ignore the concerns of women who aren't married, as well as young people who may have concerns about the future monetarily and environmentally. The podcast also shares a humorous story about people being bored during an assignment.
EpisodeI Was Kidnapped by the Taliban: Safi Rauf on Rescuing Afghan Allies
PodcastThe Problem With Jon Stewart
This podcast discusses the importance of taking action and changing the status quo, whether it be advocating for abortion rights, the legalization of drugs, or supporting the Afghan Adjustment Act to aid Afghan interpreters and contractors who worked with the United States.
08:44 - 12:23 (03:39)
Summary
This podcast discusses the importance of taking action and changing the status quo, whether it be advocating for abortion rights, the legalization of drugs, or supporting the Afghan Adjustment Act to aid Afghan interpreters and contractors who worked with the United States. The enthusiasm of the younger generation to make a difference is also highlighted.
EpisodeI Was Kidnapped by the Taliban: Safi Rauf on Rescuing Afghan Allies
PodcastThe Problem With Jon Stewart
A former refugee explains the importance of learning the language of the country you flee to, in order to avoid persecution and discrimination.
12:23 - 20:15 (07:51)
Summary
A former refugee explains the importance of learning the language of the country you flee to, in order to avoid persecution and discrimination. He shares his own experience as an Afghan refugee in the United States.
EpisodeI Was Kidnapped by the Taliban: Safi Rauf on Rescuing Afghan Allies
PodcastThe Problem With Jon Stewart
The speaker discusses their work with the State Department and Afghan politicians, specifically the Minister of Civil Aviation, the Minister of Interior, and the Foreign Minister of Foreign Affairs.
20:15 - 26:53 (06:38)
Summary
The speaker discusses their work with the State Department and Afghan politicians, specifically the Minister of Civil Aviation, the Minister of Interior, and the Foreign Minister of Foreign Affairs.
EpisodeI Was Kidnapped by the Taliban: Safi Rauf on Rescuing Afghan Allies
PodcastThe Problem With Jon Stewart
The speaker shares a personal story of survival and the extreme lengths his family went through to escape their captors.
26:53 - 30:45 (03:51)
Summary
The speaker shares a personal story of survival and the extreme lengths his family went through to escape their captors.
EpisodeI Was Kidnapped by the Taliban: Safi Rauf on Rescuing Afghan Allies
PodcastThe Problem With Jon Stewart
The negotiations for hostages are often complex and can involve monetary compensation or prisoner exchanges, as seen in past cases such as Bo Bergdahl and Nazanin Radcliffe.
30:45 - 34:25 (03:40)
Summary
The negotiations for hostages are often complex and can involve monetary compensation or prisoner exchanges, as seen in past cases such as Bo Bergdahl and Nazanin Radcliffe.
EpisodeI Was Kidnapped by the Taliban: Safi Rauf on Rescuing Afghan Allies
PodcastThe Problem With Jon Stewart
A recount of an evacuation mission in Afghanistan where the speaker had to tell the Taliban to hold off while the USG sends a plane.
34:25 - 38:47 (04:22)
Summary
A recount of an evacuation mission in Afghanistan where the speaker had to tell the Taliban to hold off while the USG sends a plane. Discussion of the risks taken to help the Afghan people and refugees, and acknowledgement of the journalist who broke the story.
EpisodeI Was Kidnapped by the Taliban: Safi Rauf on Rescuing Afghan Allies
PodcastThe Problem With Jon Stewart
The fall of Afghanistan to the Taliban has resulted in a humanitarian crisis, isolation and frustration for those who have invested time, money, and effort into the war.
38:47 - 46:01 (07:14)
Summary
The fall of Afghanistan to the Taliban has resulted in a humanitarian crisis, isolation and frustration for those who have invested time, money, and effort into the war. The Afghan Adjustment Act saw around 40,000 applicants and $23 million in fees to the USCIS, yet the crisis continues to worsen.
EpisodeI Was Kidnapped by the Taliban: Safi Rauf on Rescuing Afghan Allies
PodcastThe Problem With Jon Stewart
In this conversation, the need for the Afghan Adjustment Act is discussed in order to ensure resettlement for those coming from Afghanistan.
46:01 - 53:05 (07:03)
Summary
In this conversation, the need for the Afghan Adjustment Act is discussed in order to ensure resettlement for those coming from Afghanistan. The act serves to provide assistance for vetting individuals and getting them quickly settled into society.
EpisodeI Was Kidnapped by the Taliban: Safi Rauf on Rescuing Afghan Allies
PodcastThe Problem With Jon Stewart
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53:05 - 56:45 (03:40)
Summary
The ability to maintain humor can be seen as a higher level of humanity that can act as an antidote to torture, allowing individuals the strength to survive. Maintaining a sense of humor is essential, and it's essential to help put pressure on governments to eradicate torture as a way of life.
EpisodeI Was Kidnapped by the Taliban: Safi Rauf on Rescuing Afghan Allies
PodcastThe Problem With Jon Stewart
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56:45 - 1:00:10 (03:24)
Summary
The failure of America to live up to its moral precepts affects the nation and corrodes the beliefs it thinks it spreads globally; the nation must address and win this fight to assist veterans and organizations such as No One Left Behind to promote a better life for veterans.
EpisodeI Was Kidnapped by the Taliban: Safi Rauf on Rescuing Afghan Allies
PodcastThe Problem With Jon Stewart
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1:00:10 - 1:00:27 (00:17)
Summary
A short goodbye message with multiple repetitions of the word "peace."